Jedrick Wills Jr.

Jedrick Wills Jr.'s Biography

Jedrick Wills Jr., born on May 17, 1999, is an accomplished American professional football player who has carved out a significant career as an offensive tackle in the National Football League, or NFL. Currently, he assumes this role for the prominent Cleveland Browns team.

Before embarking on his successful professional career, Wills honed his skills and gained considerable fame during his college days. He was a brilliant football player for the Alabama Crimson Tide, a notable football team, and his stellar performance there led to him being picked by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the immensely popular 2020 NFL draft.

Jedrick’s journey in football started in Lexington, Kentucky. He spent his high school years at Lafayette High School, where he began showcasing his remarkable abilities on the football field. Displaying great promise, he was chosen for the first-team All-State by the Associated Press in his junior and senior years. Additionally, he was honored with an invitation to participate in the prestigious Under Armour All-America Game.

Out of many high school football players in Kentucky, Wills was rated as the top college prospect. He had a plethora of choices for college teams and he could have selected Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, or Notre Dame. However, he committed to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide, clearly favoring them over the rest.

Jedrick’s freshman year at Alabama saw him appearing in 11 games and making a memorable start against Ole Miss. He displayed his extraordinary playing abilities, especially when the Crimson Tide switched to a six lineman formation. His sophomore year saw him stepping up his game even further. He was given the responsibility of the starter at right tackle and started all 15 games for the Crimson Tide. His eye-catching performance in week 7 against Missouri led to him being named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Entering his junior season, Jedrick was already awarded first-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and second-team preseason All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. Mid-season, he was once again named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press. At the end of the season, Wills was a consensus second-team All-America selection, finishing the season-only missing seven total blocking assignments in 771 total snaps played.

In January 2020, Wills took a significant decision about his football career. Opting to bypass his senior season, he chose to throw his hat into the 2020 NFL draft ring. His challenging decision paid off when the Cleveland Browns drafted him in the first round, utilizing their 10th overall pick.

Upon entering the league, Wills made his debut against the Baltimore Ravens in a season opener. He critical role in helping the Browns offense gain 231 rushing yards and a touchdown over the Houston Texans in Week 10 led to him winning the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week award. This feat made him the first offensive lineman to achieve this milestone since 2013.

Wills’ career was not without challenges. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 24, 2020. Fortunately, he showed great recovery speed and was activated two days later. He concluded his rookie year powerfully, earning himself a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

On May 2, 2023, the Browns revealed their faith in Wills’ abilities by picking up the fifth-year option of his contract. However, his career suffered a setback when he incurred an MCL injury during a Week 9 game. He was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2023. Despite facing trials and tribulations, Jedrick Wills Jr. continues his professional football career with determination and grace. His story serves as a testament to his resilience, passion for the game, and abundant skills on the football field.